Dolan has said agencies that serve the homeless are more dependent than ever on fundraising efforts.

“We’re doing more with less money,” Dolan has said. “All of our missions are to serve these people — that’s why we’re here.”

Dolan said while the Coordinated Access System has improved situations for veterans and other individuals being served, it also has required additional tasks for each agency in working toward ending chronic homelessness. There also is an increased focus on families and youth, she said.

Dolan has said that, according to data, there were 1,574 calls to 211 in September alone from those in need of housing.

Those are new people in the system and there already is a shortage of beds across the state, Dolan has said.

She said recently that state budget cuts have translated not only into a need for more housing, but also more people coming into the Beth El Center’s soup kitchen and in addition to that, more of a need for groceries.

Dolan has said people in homeless situations or other types of need are not the stereotype of a “raggedy”-looking individual.

Dolan noted one example of a woman with a son almost 2 years old who is living at the shelter, tirelessly working full-time to become independent and build a better life for her son.